JD-XA

Analog/Digital Crossover Synthesizer

Analog. Digital. Magical.

The JD-XA is a unique crossover synth that brings together analog warmth and digital versatility in one super-creative, no- compromise instrument. First, there’s a four-part, all-analog monster with true analog filters and a direct dry output. Next up is a four-part digital engine powered by Roland’s SuperNATURAL synth technology, plus an impressive selection of potent effects. The JD-XA’s engines can be used independently or interactively, providing an incredibly flexible platform for sound design, studio work, and live performance. Use the analog and digital parts side by side, stack them up for total sonic devastation, or shape digital waveforms via the analog filters to create sounds never heard before. With the JD-XA, you can forget about analog or digital—just close your eyes, imagine how the future sounds, and start creating music.

The Analog Engine

Each of the JD-XA’s four analog parts has two oscillators, along with filter and amp sections and four envelopes—all with incredibly fast attack and response times. You also get two LFOs, with super-smooth coverage from ultra-slow to ultra-fast. Start by creating your sound from scratch, or configure the JD-XA as an eight-oscillator, pure analog version of the legendary Supersaw waveform. Or invoke the power of Poly Stack mode for warm, organic four-note chords that will sweep you away. Once you’ve got that killer analog sound, you can route it directly to the analog dry output or send it to the onboard digital effects for further experiments in the art of sound design.

The Digital Engine

The JD-XA doesn’t just do classic analog—it’s also equipped with a completely separate four-part, 64-voice digital sound engine powered by Roland’s acclaimed SuperNATURAL synthesizer technology. This lets you play some of the most expressive and natural sounds available anywhere, as the JD-XA is compatible with the synth engine from the INTEGRA-7 sound module, a firm favorite of top producers, composers, and sound designers. And if you need some extra inspiration, visit Roland’s online Axial community and download the latest creations from high-end programmers to tap into great sounds for a wide variety of genres.

Analog and Digital Working Together

With its distinctive crossover design, the JD-XA is very unique in its approach to synthesis. You can blend the engines together if you want, but you can also use them completely independently, truly giving you two synths in one. Additionally, the analog and digital engines are able to interact in many creative ways. For example, digital sounds can be routed through the analog filters, or used as modulation sources for the Cross Mod and Ring Mod functions in the analog section. If you’ve got big ideas when it comes to sound design, you need a powerful and flexible synth, and the JD-XA really delivers.

Smooth, Warm Analog Filters

The filters in the JD-XA’s analog section are 100-percent analog, giving you smooth, warm sound and organic response. There’s the classic 4-pole, a transistor ladder with stronger characteristics, and a multi-mode filter option for the essential LPF, HPF, and BPF duties. Thanks to an all-new circuit design, the resonance of the multi-mode filter provides a uniquely aggressive sound character that’s really cool. And because the filters are completely analog, you get a supremely smooth slope as you twist the knobs, with no stepping or unwanted artifacts.

ANALOG DRY OUTPUT

Powerful Effects for Every Occasion

When it comes to effects, the JD-XA is well equipped to handle any sound shaping you want to apply. Each analog and digital part is equipped with a powerful and versatile MFX processor that offers 67 different effect types, including high-impact processing options like Bit Crusher. The essentials are also covered via the five system effects processors, which provide reverb, delay, and master EQ plus two TFX processors with 29 effect types each.

16-Track Pattern Sequencer with Real-Time and Step Recording

With all this sonic power at hand, you’ll want to dive in and start making music straight away. To get your creativity flowing, the JD-XA has a comprehensive 16-track pattern sequencer with 8 tracks for internal parts and 8 tracks for external sources, allowing you to build sequences and loops quickly and intuitively. Use real-time recording mode to lay down parts in a familiar linear fashion, or step recording mode to create in the old-school pattern style. However you like to work, this sequencer is designed to keep you connected to your music—the JD-XA is all about inspiration, not interruption.

Powerful, Flexible Routing andHands-On Control

Power is nothing without control, so the JD-XA’s interface is built around harnessing the potential of its remarkable sound engines. The velocity-sensitive keyboard supports aftertouch, and you have plenty of backlit sliders, knobs, and wheel controllers to shape the sound. There are unprecedented routing options as well, thanks to a flexible system that lets you route a single mod source to four destinations. In addition, you’re able to control external modules or DAW plug-ins via MIDI, USB, and CV/GATE, making this a synth that can sit at the heart of any live or studio setup. If you can imagine it, you can probably do it on the JD-XA.

Versatile Mic-Controlled Modulation and Onboard Vocoder

The JD-XA’s mic input brings an extra dimension to your music. For starters, you can use the mic as a modulation source, controlling filter cutoff, Cross Mod, or other parameters with your voice. Alternatively, you can dial up Vocoder tones, or simply add some pro-grade vocal reverb via the mic’s dedicated reverb processor. Whether you want to speak, sing, or synthesize, plugging a mic into the JD-XA is sure to lead to some positive musical mayhem.

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USB Interface and CV/GATE Outs for Controlling Analog Gear

The JD-XA features a built-in USB audio/MIDI interface for working seamlessly with your favorite DAW. It’s also equipped with two CV/GATE outputs, making it easy to interface with popular CV/GATE instruments. Your analog or modular synths can be controlled directly from the JD-XA’s keyboard or pattern sequencer, or from the comfort of your DAW when the JD-XA is integrated into your computer music production environment via USB.

Crossing Over

JD-XA The Best of Both Worlds: Combining Digital and Analog Sound

Chapter 1

The JD-XA takes the crossover concept to an advanced level by seamlessly uniting cutting-edge DSP technology and pure analog synthesis.

The analog filter in the JD-XA has both a smooth sound and a lighting-sharp response, giving you a high level of creative control when shaping sounds. The accuracy and quick response of the JD-XA’s envelope is important too, as it defines the leading edge of the sound. Each individual analog part can have its own dedicated effect, and all parts can be processed together through digital effects such as master EQ, chorus, fuzz, and many others.

Chapter 2

The digital section offers a diverse palette of sounds, from fat synth waveforms to crisp metallic timbres and beyond. Digital sounds can be routed through the analog filter, instantly adding organic richness. Massive hybrid sounds are also possible by using both engines together. For example, use Poly Stack mode to layer the four analog parts for richness and body, then add digital tones on top for extra spice.

Chapter 3

Thanks to the powerful synth engines, effects, and hands-on controls, dramatic textures are easily created using common building blocks like synth waveforms and white noise.

Roland’s famous Supersaw waveform coming from a digital part becomes a very warm and rich pad sound just by passing it through the analog filter. Even simple white noise can be transformed into a range of complex sound effects that are perfect for film and game scores. First, enhance the noise using two TFX types, such as one for subsonic reinforcement and the other a short reverb for body. After that, process the sound through the analog Ring Mod and Cross Mod functions and tweak their controls in real time for a variety of cool tonal colors.

Support

If you have questions about operating your Roland product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.
You can also contact our Product Support department by phone or email.
In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference.